Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1887-03-15
MARQUIS OF RovAeNAscA
career of the italian Noblernan Whe
Dfed Recently in New YORK.

I MARQUIS OF hovS% '-''''
career of the italian Nobleman Whe
Died Recently in New YORK.
/ The BODY Of Roberto Pratt, marquis
of Rovagnasca, lay in room In the ten
ement house No. $50 East Eighty-second
street. He died late Wednesday night
| after remarkable and romantic career.
He was horn in Alessanda di Eggitto,
| n city of Piedmonte. in 1925. His father
was the Marquis Ettorrc Pratt and his
mother the Marchioness Teresa MAJ
zoochi. Both belonged to ancient and
noble families of Picdmontc, and tho
Young Roberto was born in his fathers
ancestral castle of Rovagnasca At
am early age he entered the military
academy at Turin. Before he was 20
wears old he was graduated and COM
missioned u second lieutenant in tho
army of Victor Emmanuel. then the
young gallant, and ambitious king OF
Sardinia. The struggle which was
consummated at Solierino and Magenta
for the unification of Italy was just then
beginning. and young Pratt warmly
espoused the cause of Italian liberty
and of the king of Sardinia. In the
wars of 1S4S and 1919 he greatly dis
tinguished himself. and in 1852 was
made an officer of the Royal carabin-
Teri. In recognition of his service he
was given n medal OF gold for valor
and raised to the rank OF captain.
In 1856 he was assigned to duty on
the staff of the king and made major
Meantime Pratt had married, and a,
the court of Victor Emmanuel no ono
was so lavish in expenditure or gave
such magnificent entertainments as the
young marquis and marchioness OF
Rovagnasca. Soon the court gossips
began to talk of the great favor with
which the king regarded the beautiful
marchioness. The rumors reached the
ears of Pratt. and the result was tina,
he separated from his wife. But just
at this time there appeared at the cour'
of the king the beautiful and fascina-
ting Countess Milillores. She was
countess not only OF a hundred flowers
but of hundred hearts. and among
those who fell before her charms was
the prime of early manhood, gallant
officer, expert swordsman, and Of most
charming personal manners. He was
over six feet tall. and his form was de-
veloped by every kind of military ant
manly exercise. The countess was
more attracted by the gallant young
marquis than by the plain vsageo
king, in spite Of the glamour of royal
ty which encompassed the latter This
was in 1859. when that war had begun
which made Victor Emmanuel king oil
Italy. The king at that time was loatl
to lose the service of such IN officer as
the marquis, but even the splendor OF
that crown which was just beyond the
point of his sword could not blind b i
eyes to jealousy, and an imprudent re-
mark of Pratis fastened the catas
trophe. He was summoned to tho
presence of the minister of war and
informed that the king would give him
exile himself. If he refused he would
be in dungeon in twenty-four hours
Pratt had no alternative. He resigned
his commission on the spot and broke
his sword.
Then he came to this country, hoping
to find here II chance to create for him
self new career He had but little
money left of his inheritance, and this
he soon spent in trying to carry out the
same gorgeous style of living to which
he had been accustomed IN Italy. The
pension promised him by the King was
regularly paid, and Pratt was obi gee
to accept it in order TO keep himself
alive. He started fencing school, bu
failed to make it q success. His wife
died in Italy, and the battles of Softer
inc and Magenta placed the crown o.
Italy on the head of Victor Emmanuel
Pratt after several attempts to make s
living by giving lessons in Italian ant
French, got position as deputy mar.
shall and interpreter in the mayors of
tiice in this city. Victor Emmanuel
was married TO the Countess Mellillores
on his deathbed, and on the accession
OF Umberto the pension which had been
paid TO Pratt was stopped. Pratt los
his position in the may or $ Office, ano
for the last few years of his life earned
scanty subsistence by giving lessons
in Ere nch and Italian.
After the death of his wife. twent,
years ago, Pratt married Harriet Me
Quade. of Orange. N. j. She dice
| about seven years ago. BY her he has
three children, two daughters and {
son, all of whom survive him In al
his msfortunes the Marquis Rovagnasca
bore himself like Il gentleman and kept
to the last the bearing and department.
which had made him so prominent Il
figure at the court of Victor Emmanuel
and on the field of battle. Not long
ago King Umberto. hearing that thu
marquis was in needy circumstances
| sent him 5000, To-day the body of the
unfortunate man will be taken to Or
ange and laid beside the remains of hi:
second wife.-Nei0 York World.